Classification of lower cervical spine injuries.

Publication/Presentation Date

5-15-2006

Abstract

STUDY DESIGN: Blinded assessment by multiple observers of consecutive case series.

OBJECTIVES: Measure the reliability of a new system of determining stability in subaxial cervical spine injuries.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Classification is fundamental to allow communication, determine prognosis, and direct treatment. Current systems have many limitations, including difficultly of use, lack of proven reliability and validity, and no assessment of stability. A new system to assess instability is proposed.

METHODS: A literature review of the most commonly described classification systems is reported. The Cervical Spine Injury Severity Score was tested for reliability by 10 examiners who graded 35 consecutive cases of cervical trauma. Plain radiographs and CT were saved as read using Efilm Lite in random order. Each was scored and intraobserver and interobserver agreement was measured using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC).

RESULTS: Intraobserver agreement was excellent with ICC ranging from 0.97 to 0.99. Interobserver agreement was also excellent with mean 0.80 ranging from 0.75 to 0.98.

CONCLUSION: A new cervical spine classification system of injury is paramount to treatment and outcomes. A new system may increase reliability and therefore allow more accurate determination of stability and dictate treatment.

Volume

31

Issue

11 Suppl

First Page

37

Last Page

43

ISSN

1528-1159

Disciplines

Business Administration, Management, and Operations | Health and Medical Administration | Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods

PubMedID

16685235

Department(s)

Administration and Leadership

Document Type

Article

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